Austria-based cellulosic fiber manufacturer Lenzing Fibers has been awarded the Nordic Swan
Ecolabel. The Nordic Ecolabel — introduced by the Nordic Council of Ministers, headquartered in
Sweden — certification system identifies products that have been produced in an environmentally
friendly manner. Lenzing is the first fiber producer globally to be certified, receiving
certification for its Grimsby, England; Heiligenkreuz, Austria; and Lenzing, Austria, production
facilities. The company also plans to expand the certification to include its Tencel® production
site in Mobile, Ala.

Under the Swan certification program, products are evaluated according to extensive criteria
including chemical usage; emission values; water consumption; land utilization and energy use;
product disposal; and product quality and functionality.

Lenzing Viscose® and Tencel fibers are derived from sustainable raw material and wood, and
are produced in a way that optimizes resource usage. Products composed of 100-percent Lenzing
Viscose or Tencel fibers are fully biodegradable.

November 11, 2008

Akron, Ohio-based Victor Gelb Inc., a supplier of fiber for polymer-based products, has changed its
name to Finite Fiber to reflect the growth and advancement in polymer use.

Finite Fiber’s product offering has expanded and now includes RFL surface-treated, engineered
textile fibers; engineered, multi-filament fiber bundles; industrial-grade nylon and polyester
textile fiber; treated, spun cotton textile fiber; 200- to 300-micron milled, 93-percent
polyacrylonitrile carbon fiber; and low-fibrillation, 1- to 2-millimeter aramid pulp.

According to Finite Fiber, the addition of fibers to polymeric compounds offers benefits such
as abrasion, compression, cut, tear, and chunk-out resistance; tensile strength; dimensional
stability; green strength; cut propagation; die-swell distortion; noise reduction; and, generally,
reduced costs.

November 11, 2008

Thermore® HD-Pro thermal insulation, made of 100% polyester fibers and designed for sleeping bags,
is now available in additional weights to best fit the end use and reduce weight.

Thermore® is now offering HD-Pro in 65 and 90-gram weights to further meet the demand for
lightweight performance.  HD-Pro, first introduced this summer during the Outdoor Retailer
Summer Market Show, was offered in a 120-gram weight and designed to meet the specialized needs of
the technical sleeping bag market.  When compared to traditional sleeping bag insulation
products that have been used in the past, HD-Pro represents a higher level of performance and
offers the highest clo value per weight based on independent testing.

HD-Pro’s advanced insulation technology uses an innovative fiber bonding system for all
around performance.  The end result is a technical insulation that offers multi- directional
strength and enhanced resistance to washing and general wear.  HD-Pro’s unique manufacturing
process offers excellent consistency to help eliminate cold spots.  Its high loft level and
ultra-soft hand offer superior comfort with unsurpassed thermal efficiency.  Plus, it’s highly
water repellent and quick drying for extreme conditions.

Joe DiGirolamo, Director of Sales for North America notes, “Thermore® is considered by many
in the industry as a specialist in thermal insulation.  We already have an excellent
reputation for developing innovative insulations for the outerwear market.  The HD-Pro was
designed as a market specific product based on a different set of needs for sleeping bags. We
applied our knowledge and experience in this area with the intention of making the best overall
product.  The HD-Pro is an exciting alternative to what is currently available in the
market.  The addition of the 65 and 90-gram articles will nicely complement the 120-gram
material and allow for a truly customized sleeping bag.  Our customers can now mix and match
our products in the same bag to control weight and apply the correct insulation to the area of the
bag where it can be most beneficial.  We expect this same versatility to soon be available in
our recycled HD-Green product.”

Thermore® HD-Green thermal insulation is comprised of a minimum of 70% recycled PET fibers
(derived from plastic bottles) and was also developed for the unique needs of the technical
sleeping bag market.

Historically, Thermore® has been at the forefront of researching more efficient production
systems and the use of sustainable raw materials. Thermore® continues to research and develop
innovative products to meet the needs of the consumer while at the same time minimizing its impact
on the environment.

Thermore®

Thermore® specializes in the development, manufacture and sale of thermal insulation for
outerwear and related products. It is one of the leading companies in the global textile
industry.  Established in Milan, Italy in 1972, the company has a commercial network at an
international level and offers a comprehensive collection of thermal insulations.  The
research into new technologies, as well as understanding the needs of its customers, is the main
focus of the group.  The aim of Thermore® is to offer state-of-the-art products, optimize
production processes, maximize investments and respect the environment.

November 11, 2008

Press Release Courtesy of Thermore

The US International Trade Commission (ITC) has agreed to monitor a group of textile and apparel
imports from China in response to a request from the House Ways and Means Committee. The committee’s
chairman, Rep. Charles B. Rangel, D-N.Y., had written to the ITC expressing his concern over the
possibility of a market-disrupting surge in imports from China when the so-called safeguard quotas
on 34 product categories expire December 31. Rangel took the action in view of the fact that there
was a major surge in Chinese imports when quotas on all but the 34 product categories were removed
five years ago, and he is concerned about a repetition.

In its announcement, the ITC said it will provide the committee with its first report by
December 1 and will continue to provide additional reports every two weeks. The information also
will be published on the ITC’s website,
www.usitc.gov. Information in the first report will cover an
historical compilation of the volume, value, unit value, and import market share of the articles
being monitored.

If market disruption is found, the committee has the authority to initiate an investigation,
which ultimately could lead to imposition of tariffs or quotas or both.

In making his request to the ITC, Rangel said: “Monitoring Chinese textile and apparel
imports will help provide the committee with timely, accurate information to assess whether Chinese
imports are causing or threatening to cause market disruption in the United States and other
countries.”

More details about the monitoring can be found in the ITC’s “notice of investigation dated
October 31 and located at
http://www.usitc.gov/secretary/fed_reg_notices/332/332-501.institution.1225464733.pdf.

November 4, 2008

Intertek, the leading global provider of international trade solutions, today announced it has
partnered with leading global retailers, consumer brands and fabric mills to launch an
unprecedented industry program to facilitate industry-wide collaboration around better solutions
for the social, environmental and quality performance of global fabric mills.

This unique program is designed to better prioritize the critical concerns facing responsible
textile production today and add clarity in identifying collaborative opportunities for most
effectively leveraging available industry resources tomorrow. The Mill Qualification Program (MQP)
addresses the challenges faced by retailers and consumer brands to assist suppliers in
understanding and achieving their social, environmental and quality expectations. By facilitating
industry collaboration towards the sharing of fabric mill performance behaviors, MQP enables a more
efficient approach for responsible textile production, which advances sustainability and fosters
overall industry innovation.

The absence of a widely accepted approach for measuring fabric mill performance and the
expense of visiting geographically dispersed facilities makes it difficult for retailers, consumer
brands and fabric mills alike to balance ensuring the quality their customers demand while
upholding their sustainability values and commitments. MQP addresses this challenge by delivering
several key benefits for all industry stakeholders:

    * Deep visibility into the supply chain

    * Greater awareness to mitigate risk

    * Independent evaluations that can be benchmarked

    * Improved speed to market

    * Reduced mill evaluation costs

    * Access to market-wide data for more informed decision making

Andre Raghu, President of Intertek Sustainability Solutions explains, “The successful
promotion of responsible textile production depends on emphasizing performance and cost benefits in
addition to sustainability value. This pioneering initiative will provide the global textile
industry with a new operating environment to understand when sustainability factors are effectively
integrated into business strategies and operations of fabric mills, allowing purchasers to weigh
several key factors and take a best value approach in their buying decisions – – not just price.”

By enabling a more efficient process for all industry stakeholders, MQP participating
retailers, consumer brands and fabric mills will benefit from smarter business decisions with
greater confidence.

Visit
www.millqp.com today, to support a more efficient and
sustainable production process for the global textile industry.

About Intertek

MQP is enabled by Intertek Sustainability Solutions, a network of global supply chain
professional and technical experts, offering a broad range of trade advisory, technology and
support services. Intertek (ITRK.L) is a leading provider of quality and safety solutions serving a
wide range of industries around the world. From auditing and inspection, to testing, quality
assurance and certification, Intertek people are dedicated to adding value to customers’ products
and processes, supporting their success in the global marketplace. Intertek has the expertise,
resources and global reach to support its customers through its network of more than 1,000
laboratories and offices and over 23,000 people in 110 countries around the world.

For more information, visit
www.intertek.com

November 4, 2008

Press Release Courtesy of Intertek

Rochester, N.Y.-based Eastman Kodak Co. has launched a line of silver-based
antibacterial/antifungal extrusion additives for use in a variety of textile and plastics uses. The
portfolio includes: AgFX, for use in polyester, fiber and film applications; AgPPX, for use in
polyolefin-based products including thin fiber and film applications; and AgMPX, compatible with a
variety of polymers and suitable for injection molding, coarser fibers and thicker film
applications.

November 4, 2008

Raleigh, N.C.-based LaamScience Inc. (LSI) — a developer of specialty antimicrobial coatings for
medical textiles, air and water filtration, and floor and wall coverings — has submitted a
Premarket Notification 510(k) to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to obtain permission to
market its antimicrobial-coated N95 respirator mask.

North Carolina State University College of Textiles Professor Stephen Michielsen and his
colleagues developed the antimicrobial technology used on the N95 mask, a disposable respirator for
use by healthcare workers and patients as protection from airborne infectious diseases. The outer
surface of the mask is coated in a permanently bonded dye compound that when exposed to visible
light, inactivates viruses and kills bacteria.

If the FDA grants clearance, LSI hopes to launch the N95 during the first quarter of 2009.
The mask will be the first in a series of medical textile products featuring Serqet™ antimicrobial
coatings.

November 4, 2008

Germany-based Freudenberg Nonwovens — a nonwoven materials manufacturer and part of the Freudenberg
Group — will reorganize its Filter Division into the independent business group Freudenberg
Filtration Technologies, effective Jan. 1, 2009. The reorganization will enable the new business
group to improve service to its customers.

Freudenberg Filtration Technologies, which will be headquartered in Germany, will further
expand the company’s air, gas and liquid filtration solutions and strengthen its global services
and project business in the industrial filtration segment. Former Filter Division Managing
Directors Dr. Jörg Sievert and Dr. Andreas Kreuter will lead the new business group’s management
team.



November 4, 2008

The Energy Efficiency Seminar — sponsored by Washington-based National Council of Textile
Organizations (NCTO) — will be held Wednesday, November 5 from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Lowe’s
Motor Speedway in Charlotte, N.C.

After opening remarks by NCTO Chairman Anderson Warlick at 8:30 a.m., the following
presentations will be given: Legislation, Regulations & Energy Assessments, by John McKenzie
and Dean Molino, Duke Energy; Compressed Air, by Michael McCulloh, Air Components and Systems;
Impact of Efficiency & Regulations, by Andy Younts, Baldor Motors; Energy Efficiency in
Textiles Through Electro Technologies, by Bill Pasley, Southern Co.; and Energy and the Economy, by
John Tamny, H.C. Wainwright Economics and editor, Real Clear Markets. Lunch will be served
following the presentations.

Admission is $75 for NCTO members and $100 for non-members. Those planning to attend should
contact Robin Haynes (704) 824-3522 or
rhaynes@ncto.org. The seminar is open to textile
manufacturers and suppliers.

November 4, 2008